The U.S. women`s national team is set to conclude their two-game series against Brazil this Tuesday in another exciting friendly match. This game offers another opportunity for the team to refine their strategies against a Brazilian squad known for its technical skill and attacking prowess. Manager Emma Hayes will lead the team as they host Brazil at a sold-out Pay Pal Park in San Jose, California. Brazil is aiming to rebound after their 2-0 defeat to the USWNT on Saturday.
Trinity Rodman, a forward, made a notable comeback to the senior team, scoring in her first game since the 2024 Olympic final. Rodman, a dynamic winger, was a key part of the attacking `triple espresso` trio that was highly effective during the Olympics. She had been managing a back injury prior to her return.
Hayes is expected to continue rotating players as the team progresses towards the 2027-28 cycle. Fans should anticipate some lineup adjustments for the second match. The head coach is focused on evaluating players, with two players, goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Avery Patterson, earning their first senior caps on Saturday. Tullis-Joyce secured a clean sheet, and Patterson contributed as a late substitute to help secure the win.
Here’s a look at the key storylines and how to watch the upcoming match:
How to watch USWNT
- Date: Tues. April, 8
- Location: Pay Pal Park — San Jose, Ca.
- TV: TNT | Live stream: Max
Last meeting
Match one against Brazil: The two teams last faced off in the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal final before Saturday’s friendly rematch. In that recent friendly, Rodman scored early in the first six minutes, despite Brazil initially setting the pace. Brazil’s tactical adjustments kept the match close until halftime. Hayes`s substitutions proved effective, particularly the introduction of Lily Yohannes, who quickly earned a penalty. Team captain Lindsey Heaps converted the penalty, and the USWNT defense, supported by six saves from Tullis-Joyce, effectively contained Brazil`s attack.
What the USWNT are saying
Alongside discussions about the expanded player pool, there`s a focus on game planning and preparing numerous new players for the team`s system. Hayes is already looking ahead to the second game to refine their approach against Brazil.
`I feel we do all the hard work, we get the ball and we turn it back over again. We call it transition to retain. This is an area of our game we have to get better with,` Hayes commented post-match.
`We’ve provided the team with a framework. Now, it’s about giving them opportunities to develop it and coaching the finer details. By the end of the game, we improved, but it took time, similar to the Japan game in the SheBelieves Cup. This is a significant area for us to improve because we are ready to press high and challenge player for player, but we need to be more decisive in our decision-making and execution.`
Hayes also elaborated on the team`s decision-making in attacking transitions, specifically knowing when to attack quickly versus when to recycle possession.
`I`m not sure about the game`s xG, but I felt we generated good opportunities and are creating more chances overall. Our expected goals are increasing, and our high-quality scoring chances are significantly up from the Olympics. We`ve been deliberately working on this, focusing on positioning players in the right areas, timing, etc. I can`t speak for Brazil`s missed chances, but I believe we could have scored more than two goals… something I couldn’t say after the Olympic gold medal final.`
The USWNT concluded the first match with an xG of 2.72, double Brazil’s 1.41.
Predicted lineups
In this evaluation phase under Hayes, anything is possible. Here’s a possible starting lineup for Sunday:
USWNT Starting XI: Mandy McGlynn, Giselle Thompson, Emily Sams, Alana Cook, Avery Patterson; Korbin Albert, Lily Yohannes, Jaedyn Shaw; Yazmeen Ryan, Ashley Hatch, Michelle Cooper
Player to watch
Yazmeen Ryan (forward): Yazmeen Ryan of the Houston Dash has quickly become a consistent presence in team camps since her first senior call-up in October 2024. She has now earned eight caps, including a substitute appearance against Brazil on Saturday, and has provided two assists in her time with the team. Her versatility across wide and central positions, along with her ability to deliver precise crosses to create scoring chances, will be valuable on Tuesday.
Storyline to watch
Goalkeeper trends: While Tullis-Joyce debuted on Saturday, McGlynn might earn her third cap. McGlynn was among several players called up post-2024 Olympics as Hayes began planning for the next cycle. The coaching staff is assessing the goalkeeper position following Alyssa Naeher`s retirement. Jane Campbell has been the most experienced keeper in camps with 10 appearances and six clean sheets. Hayes aims to narrow down the goalkeeper pool and identify a starter by summer.
Prediction
The advantage of a second match against the same opponent is the chance to build on existing knowledge. However, the opponent also benefits from this familiarity. The USWNT is predicted to win, but Brazil is expected to score. Pick: USWNT 2, Brazil 1
